Japan drops challenges to A-bomb suits

TOKYO, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Japan says it is dropping its appeals of recent court rulings that recognized 38 people as suffering from illness caused by the atomic bombs of World War II.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said it would soon begin the certification process for the patients who have claimed to be stricken by radiation-related illnesses.

The Kyodo news service reported Wednesday that the government has lost its last 19 certification challenges, and Prime Minister Taro Aso last week signed an agreement that will lead to a blanket resolution covering 306 plaintiffs seeking A-bomb recognition.

The atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki 64 years ago created dangerous radioactive fallout that can cause a variety of slowly developing diseases.